Gary Scharrer: Politics can make for strange bedfellows

The House Mexican American Legislative Caucus and the Texas Association of Business have a chilly relationship, created in part by the low grades that the state’s largest business group typically gives to Hispanic lawmakers.

But the two sides teamed up Wednesday for an agreement on immigration reform policies they want the Congress to pursue.

Mexican American Caucus Chairman Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, twice made note of the awkward relationship between Hispanic lawmakers and the Texas Association of Business.

“You don’t necessarily have to have a warm relationship. You don’t necessarily have to like each other or be friends,” Gallego said, with TAB President Bill Hammond standing a few feet away. “You just have to be able to work together to get things done.”

That’s not something that Congress has managed to do when it comes to immigration reform.

Hammond walked over to shake Gallego’s hand.

“I want to go on record to say that I love everyone … And I consider all of these fine representatives to be friends of mine and ours because today we share a common goal,” Hammond said.